The Blue Siren and the Winter Soldier | Bucky Barnes x OC

Part 3

Since it was cold and just after sunrise, there wasn't anyone along the beach. I quickly ran down to the alcove of rocks and into the water, feeling the waves crash along my ankles and knees. I took a deep breath and slid into the sea. Within seconds, my legs grew heavy until they became one. Blue scales crawled up my body covering my skin like faceted sapphires. My tail flicked majestically behind me, propelling me through the icy water. 

There was a series of small islands several miles from the main shoreline within the Gulf of Riga that I liked to hang out at. Saaremaa was where I spent most of my time, considering that was where I had a small, yet quite useful little cottage hidden away within the woodlands of the island. My cottage was also near a series of seaside caves and grottos. Besides being completely cloaked by magic, it was quiet and lonely, which was exactly what I needed. I looked around me as I swam. The water was dark, yet I could still make out the details of the different sea creatures passing me by. Fish, turtles, and several kinds of coral and weeds greeted me as I swam past. It was peaceful, if nothing else.

Once I arrived at the island, I swam around the underwater caves until I found my grotto. It was a secluded pool hidden by jagged rock formations. The reflection of the water seemed to dance along the stone walls. It reminded me of my own magic, the power that swam along my hands when I cast spells. It was blue and gold and moved like rippling water across my fingertips. An Easter egg, I supposed. Something to remind me of my mermaidness, even when I wasn't in the water.

I didn't spend much time at the grotto, but it was a nice space to relax and let my mind wander. The pool within the cave drifted along small tiny pebbles that eventually led to a small alcove area. I pulled myself up so my tail was still in the water but my body was laying along the smooth rocks. I thought about what Sam had said--if there really was a new version of the Super Soldier Serum, one that gave people even more enhanced powers, could another war be imminent? Or was this someone's quest for power and control?

"God, do you know how pathetic you look right now?"

I jumped as I heard the soft voice behind me. I turned to see Daphne, my best friend in all of the realms, smiling at me, "Daphne!" I laughed, swimming to her and wrapping my arms around her shoulders, "What are you doing here?"

"I miss you, Elle! I thought I would come by and see how you're doing," Daphne pulled herself up onto a rock and let her silver tail dangle in the water.  "Lucky I was able to catch you here," She smiled. She was so beautiful. She was the picture perfect model of a fairy tale mermaid--blond hair, blue eyes, and a face that could break your heart. However she was a very reserved and meek person. That is, when she wasn't teasing me.

"I miss you too. How are things back in the States?" I asked.

"Truthfully I don't spend much time over there anymore," she responded, "Other than to occasionally visit your aunt and uncle."

I hadn't spoken to Tristan and Elizabeth since I left Aryllia. Daphne tried many times to get me to visit them, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Even though they took me in when I had nowhere to go and taught me everything I knew about magic, they too came to a point where they could no longer be around my destructive tendencies. They had also been a mentor to her, which was why she felt an obligation to check in on them from time to time. 

 Seeing Daphne brought back many emotions. She reminded me of the best of times. She was a rock in my life when everything else was falling apart. As hard as it was to see her, deep down I felt it was healing.  

"How's Aaron?" I asked. I thought about him often. He was the fiancé of Daphne and I's other best friend, Madeline. Since her passing, Aaron had locked himself away from the world.